DRUGS……………….HATE………………. October 14, 2013

Where do I begin?  Let’s just say that I am going to have a babble session about drugs and the effects that it has.  I HATE drugs with a passion.  Any and all drugs.  What it does to people and anyone around them.  They are killers of relationships and everything else.  I am in such a funk right now.  One of my own children is struggling with an addiction to drugs.  I love this kid with all my heart and I don’t know how to help him.  I want the best for him, as well as all of my children.  He is going to Rehabilitation tomorrow and I am stressing out.  I think the stress is because I want so much for this to be the answer to his life becoming something awesome.  I know sometimes he thinks I am riding him and maybe I am, but it is only because I love him so much.  In my lifetime I have seen so many of my family and friends go down this rocky road, and it feels like I am at a war with life.  I just want my child to be OK and take all the education he can get from this journey.   He as I have said leaves for rehab tomorrow, and he has decided to get as high as he can before then.  I am extremely upset about him doing this and thinking it is OK.  It is not OK and I hope he comes to realize it.  A lot of people say that addicts will get very high before they are admitted.  I can see this now.  It SUCKS.  I am going to post some links to help anyone else who is going through the same thing that I am.  I am going to pray for you also.  Please read the information.  It has been helpful to me.

Heroin (diacetylmorphine) is derived from the morphine alkaloid found in opium and is roughly 2-3 times more potent. A highly addictive drug, heroin exhibits euphoric (“rush”), anxiolytic and analgesic central nervous system properties. Heroin is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 and as such has no acceptable medical use in the United States. Pure heroin is a white powder with a bitter taste. Most illicit heroin is sold as a white or brownish powder and is usually “cut” with other drugs or with substances such as sugar, starch, powdered milk, or quinine. It can also be cut with strychnine or other poisons. Because heroin abusers do not know the actual strength of the drug or its true contents, they are at risk of overdose or death. Another form of heroin known as “black tar” may be sticky, like roofing tar, or hard, like coal. Its color may vary from dark brown to black.  http://www.drugs.com/heroin.html

Heroin addiction is one of the most destructive and painful addictions in the world and rehab can be a lifelong process. Produced from the poppy, heroin is a semi-synthetic form of morphine. It has been estimated to be one of the most addictive substances created.  This is ironic, because when heroin was first marketed, it was thought to be safer than morphine and was used to treat morphine addiction. We now know heroin may be even more addictive than morphine; heroin addiction treatment is very difficult and cravings very persistent.  http://www.myaddiction.com/heroin.html

All I know is, this is a tragic and horrible thing for a parent to go through.  I for one will pray for all.  Thank you for letting me say my peace.

Happy Mother’s Day To All The Mother’s Around The World May 13, 2013

I am a Mother of four wonderful, smart and beautiful grown children and I was also given the gift of two amazing step children.  They have made me a proud mommy.  So, now I want to know where and how Mother’s Day came about.  Well, here goes.  Hope you like the information that I find.

I am going to use several references and you can make your own decision as to what is truth and fiction.  Also, I will give you some links.  I am going to put what I think are the more important parts of each link.  Let the reading begin.

First Link ~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother’s_Day : Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in March or May.  Mother’s Day began in the United States in the early 20th century.  The modern holiday of Mother’s Day was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Jarvis held a memorial for her mother in Grafton, West Virginia.  The United States celebrates Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May.

Second Link ~ http://www.mothersdaycentral.com/about-mothersday/history/ : The majority of countries that celebrate Mother’s Day do so on the second Sunday of May. On this day, it is common for Mothers to be celebrated with presents and special attention from their families, friends and loved ones.  But it wasn’t always this way…  Goddess Isis – Early Egyptian Roots – One of the earliest historical records of a society celebrating a Mother deity can be found among the ancient Egyptians, who held an annual festival to honor the goddess Isis.

I will put more links at the bottom, but I found the following and thought it to be interesting :

The first North American Mother’s Day was conceptualized with Julia Ward Howe’sMother’s Day Proclamation in 1870.

Arise, then, women of this day!
Arise all women who have hearts,
Whether your baptism be that of water or of tears
Say firmly:
 
“We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands shall not come to us reeking of carnage,
For caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of 
charity, mercy and patience.
 
“We women of one country
Will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.”
  
From the bosom of the devastated earth a voice goes up with 
Our own. It says, “Disarm, Disarm!”
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice!
Blood does not wipe out dishonor
Nor violence indicate possession.
As men have of ten forsaken the plow and the anvil at the summons of war.
 
Let women now leave all that may be left of home
For a great and earnest day of counsel.
 
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
 
Let them then solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace,
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God.
 
In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality
May be appointed and held at some place deemed most convenient
And at the earliest period consistent with its objects
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions.
The great and general interests of peace.

With that being introduced, I want to wish all Mother’s, soon to be Mother’s and those who step in and act like Mother’s,  Happy Mother’s Day to you all.

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/question634.htm

http://www.chiff.com/a/mothers-day-history.htm

http://mothers-day.123holiday.net/

http://homeschooling.about.com/cs/unitssubjhol/a/mothersday.htm

Part Two ~ Richard “Grasshopper” Leslie May 10, 2013

Richard “Dick” Arthur Leslie
Born to Charles & Esther Leslie on August 24, 1927 in Ashland, Kentucky. Dick had 2 brothers and 4 sisters and was a loving husband, father, Brother and Grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Mary, 8 children Sheila, Jim, Chet, Chris, Steve, Charles, Sandy and Sue; 23 Grandchildren and 35 Great Grandchildren. Dick was very proud of the service he was able to give his country and spent 23 years in the US Navy and seven years in the reserves. He enjoyed dropping a line in to the water, throwing a bowling ball, and shaking a leg on the dance floor. He spent many hours around the kitchen table playing games with friends and family. Dick cherished his time with his friends and family.  He cherished the Church also.  They were also his family.  More to come. Please come back again.

Book Review ~ Skin Deep By Anne Hjelle

Good Morning Everyone,

I want to tell you about a book I have just read.  It took me all of about a day to read it.  This is because I rarely put it down.  I want everyone to know also that I am not the best reviewer, but what I say is heartfelt and true.  I think I just get so excited when I read that I want all of you to experience that excitement as well.  Get lost in a whole different world whether it be fiction or non-fiction.  I just love books.  So, please bear with me.

Let me give a little background on how I came to find out about this book.  I was off work one day and decided to watch Ricki Lake Show.  Love her by the way.  The episode just so everyone know was “Surviving a Mountain Lion Attack”.

I Watched it without moving and it was amazing, because I got to meet this wonderful woman who was so inspiring to me.  Maybe it was the reason I took the day off of work.  Something higher must have said I needed it.  I do believe there is a reason for our every move.  Sorry, getting off the subject a little.

So, now there was this beautiful Blonde haired woman that was sitting on the couch next to Ricki Lake getting ready to tell her story.  When you first look at her I seen nothing out of place or physically wrong.  Then she started to tell a story of how she was attacked by a 130ish pound mountain lion.  All the while I am taken aback by how amazing she looks for someone who was mauled by a cat.  But as she continues her tell I get to see a woman that was strong, level headed and a survivor.  After her story she had mentioned that she had written a book.  So, me being a book reader had to go buy it right away.  The title of her book is Skin Deep and you can buy it on Amazon.com.

Well, once Anne mentioned that she had this book on Amazon.com I took out my trusty little Kindle and purchased the eBook.   Anne along with Damien Lewis and Greg Hardesty put together a wonderful book.  I also got Anne’s permission to do this review before proceeding on with it.

Anne Hjelle tells a story of a rebellious teen girl and then a woman who was in the United States Marine Corps.  When she was in the Marines she was a hydraulics mechanic on CH-53 helicopters.  Wow, what a woman.  When I read her job in the Marines, I was immediately impressed and in awe of her.  She also loves to be outdoors on her mountain bike.  This is how she came to be on the trail when she was attacked by the mountain lion.  After her attack she has become an inspirational speaker.  I tell you if she comes to Portland I will definitely go see her.  She was not the only rider that was attacked on that trail that day.  It seems that another rider by the name of Mark J Reynolds was not as lucky as Anne.  He lost his life to this strong animal.  At the end of this review I will insert some links if you would like to donate to this foundation as well as some others.

Ok, got off my thought train a minute, but it was worth it by mentioning the other rider.

So, I want to go back to The Ricki Lake Show day.  Once the episode was over and I went and purchased to book from Anne, I felt like I should be doing something useful, helpful or just something to help someone.  I think that anyone who does read this will get something out of it.  It is emotionally charged and it made me want to meet this beautiful woman along with her friend, Debi.  Thank you Debi for not letting go.

I am just going to give you a little excerpt from her book and I would suggest you go to Amazon.com and purchase it yourself.

~As my wheels vibrate and chatter on the rough, rocky surface of the Cactus Hill Trail, I feel my heart leap with joy.  The sense of carefree freedom as we careen downhill is overwhelming.  It’s a rush; a celebration of the pure, simple joy of being alive.

~There’s a lone bike resting against a scrub oak at the trailside.  Funny, I think.  Probably just some guy going to the bathroom in the bushes.  Nest to it there’s a biker standing with his own bike.

~I round the bend and crest a small plateau.  In a flash of movement, I catch a blur of reddish-brown fur over my right shoulder.

Ok, that is all the excerpts I am going to input.  So, go buy the book.  It really will be worth it.  A very inspiration, easy reading and you just get lost in the tell.

So, I want to go back to The Ricki Lake Show day.  Once the episode was over and I went and purchased to book from Anne, I felt like I should be doing something useful, helpful or just something to help someone.  I am promoting this book to all the people I talk to, because I do believe the story is wonderful.

Thank you Anne for letting me do this review.  I really appreciate you.  You are such an inspiration to me and I am sure to many others.  Stay Gold and smile that beautiful smile.

Here are a few links to look at.  Thank you for reading my not so professional blog.  There will be more to come.

http://www.annehjelle.com/

https://therickilakeshow.com/episodes-clips/2013/5/Surviving-a-Mountain-Lion-Attack

http://www.markreynoldsfund.org/

http://www.amazon.com/Skin-Deep-ebook/dp/B00APW6W50

Richard “Grasshopper” Leslie ~ Part Two May 6, 2013

Richard “Dick” Arthur Leslie
Born to Charles & Esther Leslie on August 24, 1927 in Ashland, Kentucky. Dick had 2 brothers and 4 sisters and was a loving husband, father, Brother and Grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Mary, 8 children Sheila, Jim, Chet, Chris, Steve, Charles, Sandy and Sue; 23 Grandchildren and 35 Great Grandchildren. Dick was very proud of the service he was able to give his country and spent 23 years in the US Navy and seven years in the reserves. He enjoyed dropping a line in to the water, throwing a bowling ball, and shaking a leg on the dance floor. He spent many hours around the kitchen table playing games with friends and family. Dick cherished his time with his friends and family.  He cherished the Church also.  They were also his family.  More to come. Please come back again.   Thank you for sharing this wonderful man with me.  He is in Heaven looking down on all of his friends and family.

 

My Good Life May 3, 2013

I so appreciate my life today. I have come to realize what tragedies I have made for myself throughout the years. Why? I ask myself. God is the only one that knows. He has obviously had a purpose for me going through the hell that was in my life. It has made me a strong but changed individual today. I am in a very loving marriage, even through our trials and sins. I have beautiful children and an amazing family. I may have taken some or all of them for granted at some point, and for this I am truly sorry. I also have the most faithful and loving friends anyone could have. I know I have had to let some people go that I thought were friends, but have come to realize they were not helping, but hurting me. I pray for them. I think this has come about because I have learned to trust in God. I know not everyone believes in God, but please do not judge me because I do. Things will get even better the more I live my life in a great and positive way. And I have the help of a fabulous husband that keeps me on the path of good. Thank you all for letting speak these words. It is something I have needed to do for a long time, so that I can forgive myself for all the wrongdoings I have done over the years. God Bless you all.

Cancer, what a horrible word. April 29, 2013

What is there to say about this life threatening word?  I hate it.  It has taken so many people I love away.

Cancer: An abnormal growth of cells which tend to proliferate in an uncontrolled way and, in some cases, to metastasize (spread).

So, now here is a little story.   I will not use her name to protect her privacy.  I have a friend and she is a beautiful, spontaneous and outgoing person.  We have had our ups and downs, but we are only on ups now.  I love this woman and I only want whats best for her.  Recently, she was diagnosed with CML: Chronic myelogenous leukemia, which is also known as chronic myeloid leukemia and chronic myelocytic leukemia and some form of kidney cancer.   She is a very strong woman and I know she is hating the fact that she needs to depend on others.  But she is taking it in stride.

A few weeks ago there was a benefit to help her out with expenses and it turned out rather well.  Several bands donated their time and played awesome.  Businesses donated items or gift certificates.  Others donated handmade items or their time.  All these items were raffles off and it was amazing.

It is so wonderful to see people pull together for someone they know and don’t know.  I hope everybody says a little prayer for all those out there with this dreaded disease, whether you know them or not.  I will pray for them all as well.

 

Richard “Grasshopper” Leslie 1927-2012 April 23, 2013

Today was a day to celebrate the life of one of the most amazing men I have ever known.  His name is Richard Arthur Leslie.  He was my Grandfather or as we called him, Grasshopper.  I can’t remember a time when he was not in my life.  I have so many memories that it is hard to know where to start.  So, I will start from the time I can remember.

One of my youngest memories is when he was driving for Tri Met public transportation and I would wait for him to come home.  There was a small stool that would sit by the front door and I would sit there ad wait for him to walk through the door.  I was always excited when he came home.  ALWAYS!!

In that same house there was a huge backyard with some trees.  Grandpa would tell me to go out and check the “Bubble Gum” tree.  LOL.  Most of the time there was a piece of Double Bubble sitting in the crook of the tree.

I have so many more memories, but I am going to do a few at a time.  I want everyone to know this wonderful human being like I did.  So, please come back and check to get a new story about him.  I promise it will be worth it.

“A Celebration of Life“

Gather ’round and celebrate the joy that has been given.
A gift of love – of flesh and blood. A tiny bit of heaven.

See the wonder of it all, and marvel at the sight,
Share the happiness we know, celebrate the life.

Make memories of the times to come, of hours and days and years.
Mark down each step, each task, each word – the laughter and the tears.

For a celebration of life is such, that one must never be
In too big a hurry to stop and smell… to feel… to touch… to see.

Yes, gather ’round and celebrate the life that has been given,
A gift of love – of hope eternal. Our tiny bit of heaven.

 Author: unknown

Fidgett the ET April 16, 2013

My dog, Fidgett. I woke him up and this is what happened.

Austin Stokes Fund Raising January 30, 2012

Hello Everyone,

I was just wondering if you could take a look at the link below and possibly spread the word the we need some amazing individuals to help this family out.  I promise you that this is not a scam from someone looking for money.  This happened in Oregon City, Oregon just about a year ago.  If you follow the link you will see all the information in regards to the help we are seeking.  Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

http://www.indiegogo.com/Austin-Stokes-Fund-Ongoing-medical-treatment-help-please

If you have any questions at all please feel free to contact me through commenting on this blog.